Meet Sakita Douglas, a dynamic and visionary human resources leader with nearly 30 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. She currently serves as the Interim Chief People Officer for Harris County, the third-largest county in the United States, where she is spearheading transformative initiatives to modernize HR practices, enhance employee engagement, and build a future-ready workforce for one of the largest government organizations in Texas.

Throughout her career, Sakita has been dedicated to elevating the role of HR by creating people-centric strategies that drive operational excellence and workforce development. Her transition from private industry to public service in 2021 marked a significant milestone, as she became Harris County’s first-ever Chief HR Executive, bringing fresh perspectives on HR transformation, predictive decision-making, and AI-driven talent strategies. Under her leadership, Harris County continues to evolve by integrating data-driven insights, stakeholder collaboration, and progressive talent management solutions that support a diverse workforce of nearly 20,000 employees.

A strong advocate for multigenerational workforce engagement, Sakita believes in balancing talent acquisition with employee aspirations, ensuring that HR remains at the forefront of innovation while maintaining a culture of inclusivity and retention. Her expertise extends to metric-driven HR strategies, workforce analytics, and process improvement, ensuring that leadership across departments has the tools and insights needed to support long-term organizational success.

Beyond her professional achievements, Sakita is known for her charismatic personality, love for travel, and passion for all things exciting. She has a deep love for travel, always eager to experience different cultures, meet new people, and gain fresh perspectives that influence her leadership style. Whether she’s discovering a hidden gem in a new city, enjoying live music, or embarking on an exciting adventure, Sakita embraces every opportunity to live life to the fullest. She thrives on connecting with people, inspiring those around her, and continuously learning from every experience. She thrives on new experiences and continuously seeks opportunities to push the boundaries of traditional HR practices. Her ultimate goal is to position Harris County as a leader in public sector HR innovation, setting new standards for employee development, onboarding excellence, and workplace culture.

With an unwavering commitment to empowering people and transforming organizations, Sakita Douglas is redefining what it means to lead in public sector human resources, one strategic initiative at a time.

Amanda Porter is a highly accomplished compensation and total rewards leader with nearly three decades of experience in both the public and private sectors. As the Director of Compensation for Harris County Human Resources & Talent, she is at the forefront of equitable pay practices, workforce strategy, and compensation innovation, ensuring fair and competitive compensation structures for one of the largest counties in the United States.

With a strong foundation in business administration and finance, Amanda has successfully led compensation and benefits programs for major organizations, including AT&T, The University of Texas Medical Branch, and Harris County. Her expertise as a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) and Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), combined with her designation as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), demonstrates her depth of knowledge and commitment to excellence in HR and total rewards strategy. She brings a results-driven approach to compensation planning, strategic budgeting, and workforce analytics, developing programs that are both market-competitive and compliant, enhancing employee satisfaction while optimizing organizational resources.

A trusted advisor to executives and department leaders, Amanda plays a key role in shaping fair and transparent compensation policies, ensuring that employees across all levels of Harris County receive pay structures that recognize their contributions, align with industry benchmarks, and promote retention. Her credential-backed leadership has been instrumental in bridging compensation gaps, creating data-driven pay strategies, and supporting workforce equity initiatives that foster an inclusive and thriving workplace culture.

In addition to her professional expertise, Amanda is known for her warm personality, commitment to mentorship, and dedication to community service. She has a deep passion for giving back, actively supporting initiatives that uplift women in leadership, provide educational opportunities, and empower underrepresented communities. Living by the philosophy that true fulfillment comes through selfless dedication to improving lives beyond one's own circle, she embodies values of scholarship and service that shape her leadership both in the workplace and beyond.

A proud Texas Southern University alumna, Amanda balances her family, career, and passion for community engagement with grace. Whether she’s mentoring emerging HR professionals, participating in service projects, or spending quality time with loved ones, she brings the same energy, compassion, and strategic mindset that make her a transformational leader in compensation and workforce equity.

With a steadfast commitment to fairness, data-driven decision-making, and employee advocacy, Amanda Porter is helping shape a more equitable and competitive workforce for Harris County, ensuring that every employee has the opportunity to thrive.

Jacquelyn Blackmon is a seasoned Project Manager and Scrum Master with a diverse background spanning technology, healthcare, oil & gas, education, and financial services. With expertise in business process improvements, quality management, and system deployment, she plays a pivotal role in ensuring the Compensation and Pay Equity Project is executed with efficiency and precision.

Holding a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Jacquelyn is a Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), and Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB). Her experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives allows her to drive structured, scalable solutions that promote transparency and fairness in compensation.

Jacquelyn’s expertise in process optimization and system implementation ensures that project workflows are streamlined, data-driven, and aligned with Harris County’s goals for equitable pay practices. Her leadership in managing technology-driven solutions and organizational change makes her a key asset in advancing this critical initiative.

Sheldra Brigham is a seasoned communications professional with more than two decades of experience in strategic messaging, employee engagement, and public relations. As the Communications Manager for Harris County’s Compensation and Pay Equity Project, she is committed to ensuring employees are informed, supported, and engaged throughout this transformative initiative.

With a background as a broadcast journalist and university professor, Sheldra brings a unique perspective to internal communications, combining storytelling expertise with a deep understanding of audience engagement. Her experience in news reporting has honed her ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively, while her time in academia has strengthened her skills in education, training, and message development.

Sheldra has led impactful internal communication efforts for large public-sector organizations and specializes in distilling complex policies and initiatives into clear, accessible messaging that resonates across all levels of the workforce.

Sheldra holds a Master’s degree in Public and Corporate Communications and serves on the board of the Houston chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Passionate about equity and fairness, she is dedicated to amplifying employee voices and highlighting the positive impact of this project on the county workforce.